Over the next few weeks Misa dogged her brother's footsteps. She memorized the timbre of his voice and listened for it every moment she wasn't sleeping or hunting. Since it was obvious to the Leaf Village that letting Naruto outside of the boundaries was asking for trouble, Misa didn't see him again until he left for the Kage Summit. When she did, the sisterly love that she'd harbored for years flamed up into a blaze that rivaled her passion for Gaara. He'd grown up to be someone fine, in every way. Bold and heartfelt, powerful and versatile, handsome in a completely unique way… he was everything she had hoped he would be.
But what she loved most were the people around him. She could almost have left him in their capable hands, except that her father had asked her personally to look after him. But the black-haired man had his tailed form under control and the silvery dude was a good mentor. She could see how he affected the other ninja his age, and how they gave him their friendship and loyalty in return.
But keeping an eye on her brother stretched her abilities to the limit. Silence wasn't enough, not with trained ears like this. Nonexsistence was required to fool them, especially the kids with the light blue eyes and the silvery dude. She also couldn't remain secluded for very long. It was a good thing she'd gotten a long cloak as a gift. She often mingled with those in the street, keeping a few people between herself and Naruto at all times. She was so focused on not being detected by him and the other Leaf ninja that she didn't notice the others.
But they noticed her. A wind brushing the cloak hem past her ankles, a quick slip of the hand as she traded a rabbit carcass for bread. These did not go unnoticed by those who knew what they meant. Stories began to fly, keeping her legend alive even while she stopped doing good. Once the Kage summit was over and Naruto returned to Konoha, she resumed her patrols around the perimeter where she could reach, helping the odd ninja or civilian who crossed her path.
Because she stayed so close to Konoha, Misa didn't find many opportunities to visit Sand Village. Gaara knew this. Instead of constantly checking the shrine for new songs and letters, he decided to turn his attention towards something else. His music.
Gaara had thirteen different instruments, but they were pretty useless since he couldn't play them all at once. He was mulling over this problem one day in the Office of the Kazekage. He was twirling a rough wooden flute in one hand. He'd wanted to use it in the background music for his latest song, but how was he supposed to play the stupid thing and sing at the same time? He was getting ready to throw it out the window in frustration when someone said, "If you don't want it, can I have it?"
He looked up to find one of the Genin teams. They'd just returned from their first C-ranked mission, as messengers to Konoha to find out more about the Akatsuki's movements. It was the oldest of the Genins who'd spoken. Gaara studied him for a moment. The boy was clearly older than his compatriots, by a year at least. He was staring intently at the flute. That gave him an idea.
He told the boy to wait for him after their mission report. It wasn't pretty. Konoha had been all but destroyed by the Akatsuki known as Pain, but Naruto had been there to stop him. They were rebuilding now, but it wouldn't be long before the Kage were asked to meet again. There were now only two Jinchuriki left, Killer Bee and Naruto, and they would have to be protected. The instructor finished giving his report. "Oh, and we received this for you." The man reached into his thigh pouch and brought out a piece of paper.
Gaara would have recognized that seal anywhere. "Who gave it to you?"
"I don't know, sir. I found it when I was unpacking last night, rolled up with another piece that said to give it to the Kazekage." He handed Gaara the paper. "Do you know who it's from, sir?"
"Yes. Thank you for the report." The team left. Gaara would gladly have run to his room so he could listen to Misa's message, but knew that he had business to take care of first. The boy was waiting outside his office. Gaara handed the boy the flute and Misa's instruction book. "Enjoy them. Goodness knows we'll be needing its music soon."
The next day, the summons for the Kage meeting arrived.